Major upgrades coming to Garsfontein Road to improve traffic flow

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24-01-2025
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Pretoria Rekord
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At certain phases, for short periods, road closures at crossroads will be unavoidable but will be managed by indicating alternative routes. The project is estimated to last for 30 months.

The Tshwane metro has announced that it will soon commence construction on upgrades to Garsfontein Road, one of the busiest arteries in the east of Pretoria.

According to the city, the road and intersection upgrades are meant to alleviate traffic congestion, improve road safety and enhance overall mobility throughout Tshwane.

The upgrades will see most intersections on Garsfontein Road being upgraded and adjust traffic lights to match the expected capacity of traffic at intersections.

The project will introduce non-motorised transport facilities, including walk- and cycleways on both sides of the road.

Some of the intersections include Garsfontein Road from Waterglen to Parkview and the corner of Garsfontein Road and Solomon Mahlangu Drive.

The project started on November 28, 2024, focusing on mobilisation. The site was handed over to the contractor on January 21 and the contractor has 30 months to complete the project.

Construction activities will therefore be already visible with the placement of concrete barriers, setting-out activities and re-routing of affected services.

Ward 83 councillor Andrew Lesch said several intersections on Garsfontein Road will be upgraded and will be safer to use.

Lesch said the major intersection at the corner of Garsfontein Road and Solomon Mahlangu Drive has been the scene of many severe and fatal accidents.

“This intersection will see major upgrading where the road levels will be adapted to make travelling safer. The levels of the road throughout will enhance traffic flow.”

He said overall after the upgrades the road will accommodate the expected increase in traffic, be safer and more efficient.

Lesch said Garsfontein Road is a major arterial for traffic from the east to the city.

“The scope of work is huge and will have an impact on commuters. Traffic plans are in place to alleviate the delays as far as possible. This will be implemented as the work progresses.”

Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the upgrade will directly align with the province’s vision of creating a “modern integrated, efficient and sustainable transport and road infrastructure system in Gauteng”.

He said this supports the department and the province governments’ goals for the road infrastructure system.

“The province’s mission is to facilitate and provide an integrated transport system that is reliable, accessible, safe and affordable; offers seamless mobility; is environmentally sustainable; and supports industrialisation and radical socio-economic transformation.”

Mashigo said the upgrade will improve the road network, however, traffic will potentially be affected during construction.

He added that due to the heavy traffic volumes, some disruptions will be unavoidable from time to time.

“A Traffic-Accommodation-Plan was drafted, with traffic barriers and signage. The road capacity in terms of number of traffic lanes available may not be reduced and intersection capacity must also be maintained.”

At certain phases, for short periods, road closures on crossroads will be unavoidable, but it will be managed by indicating alternative routes, Mashigo said.

He said officers from the Tshwane Metro Police Department will monitor traffic and implement by-laws.

“A community liaison officer has been appointed. He serves as the contact for the community and provides information directly to the ward councillors.

“There will be a WhatsApp channel from the ward councillors to all the residents informing them of progress made, including road closures and alternative routes. Ward councillors are part of the Project Steering Committee.”

Lesch assured residents ward councillors in wards 45 and 83 would monitor progress and interact with the Gauteng Department of Transport and city officials assigned to the project.